Smart-Automobile LLC Announces Technology License for Smart Car Americanized by ZAP(R), Final U.S. Clearance for Smart Cars In-Hand

LONG BEACH, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart-Automobile LLCannounced today its proprietary technology has been successfully appliedin the modification of the Smart For Two Coupe / Convertible for directimportation to the United States. Smart-Automobile is part of a venture to independently bring the fuel-efficient Smart Car to the U.S., where the popular car has not been availablesince its introduction in 1998. Smart-Automobile has contracted for theexclusive distribution of the Smart Cars to publicly owned automotive companyZAP of Santa Rosa, California, to be marketed to consumers through a ZAPauthorized dealer network. Registered import company G&K AutomotiveConversions of Santa Ana, California, has been contracted for the conversionof the cars to meet U.S. standards. Smart-Automobile President Thomas Heidemann announced that he is pleasedto reach this milestone, having invested significant capital and several yearsin bringing the fuel-efficient car from Europe to the United States where gasprices are reaching record levels. "There has been a great deal of excitement about the Smart Car coming tothe United States, and I want to congratulate our partners and futurecustomers for their hard work and patience in reaching this point," saidHeidemann. "With such a unique new car in the U.S. market and so much demand, we wantto reassure the public that we strive for excellence in providing the highestlevel of service and support," said the German-born entrepreneur. "Such demandhas concerned the government with the possibility of illegal Smart Carsentering the country, and we want to assure everyone that Smart-Automobilewill do everything in its power to make sure the cars are sold in a propermanner through an authorized dealer network, with certified technical trainingand legally imported cars." Under its contract, Smart-Automobile is supporting the venture in hostingexclusive training programs for ZAP Authorized Dealers as well as thelicensing of the proprietary Smart diagnostic systems used in maintaining thecars and ensuring they operate to U.S. standards of safety and emissions.Smart-Automobile owns the OBD II technology as well as the tool molds,software and factory inventory housed at G&K. Heidemann added: "I want to clarify this business venture with the public,because it has been quite unique in the today's auto industry. We have,independently of the manufacturer, obtained full U.S. safety and emissionscompliance with the Smart Cars. Usually imported cars are brought into theU.S. through exemptions. In this situation, ZAP owns the exclusivedistribution rights regarding our contracts to sell the Smart Car convertedthrough SA and G&K in the USA." Heidemann said that they will continue to obtain non-compliant carsthrough wholesalers, brokers and other entities worldwide to supply vehiclesfor the U.S. market. Smart-Automobile will only service cars with VIN numbersprovided through ZAP and will give notice to EPA and DOT on every car itdelivers. These VIN numbers will be kept on file by ZAP Authorized Dealers toensure that all Smart Cars driven in the country meet government regulations. Contact: Smart-Automobile LLC Thomas Heidemann (562) 252 1644 ext. 212This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,visit http://www.ereleases.com/.Tags: smartcar